Deadly UES Apartment Fire Was An Accident, FDNY Says

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Investigators have ruled that a fire that killed an 86-year-old woman in her Upper East Side home last week was started accidentally, fire officials announced.

The deadly electrical fire that broke out Friday morning inside a third-floor apartment at 1760 First Ave., located between East 91st and 92nd streets, was sparked by an extension cord, city fire marshals said. A smoke alarm was found in the home, but was not operational, fire officials said.

Audrey Bergensten, 86, was found in the apartment bathroom after the fire was extinguished, police said.

EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, police said.

Firefighters arrived at the scene of the fire around 5:50 a.m. Friday and had the blaze under control within 20 minutes, fire officials said. No other injuries were reported during the fire, police said.